The National Population Commission (NPC) has warned officers involved in data collection for the 2023-2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), to ensure accuracy of information from respondents.
Mr Chidi Ezeoke, the Federal Commissioner of NPC representing Anambra State, gave the warning at a news conference on Thursday in Awka.
Ezeoke, represented by Dr Joachim Ulasi, state Director, NPC, said any form of manipulation would have negative consequences on the officers and the country at large.
He, however, assured that the selected officers were tested and trusted and would deliver accordingly after undergoing a three-week intensive training.
“Do not manipulate data and do not stay in a place and interview yourself because when you do that, you will repeat the same answers.
“When you interview 20 persons, their views must surely be different. That is the secret of the survey.
“I believe in the law of Kama. Therefore, any form of manipulation will affect both the officer and the country in the long run,” he said.
Ezeoke said the survey would cover 20 local government areas of the state, excluding Ayamelum where a Verbal and Social Autopsy survey was conducted in 2018.
He said the survey would run from December 7 to April 21, 2024, in 38 clusters across these 38 localities in the selected local government areas.
The Federal Commissioner said the survey would assist in shaping evidence-based policies, improving public health interventions and contributing to the state’s overall development agenda.
